Prefered Citation

Biographical Note

Born in Winona, Mississippi, in 1904, George Alonzo McLean attended Davidson College before receiving a bachelor's degree
from the University of Mississippi in 1926. In 1928 he earned a master's degree of divinity from the Boston Theological Seminary
at Boston University. He did graduate work at Stanford University and the University of Chicago in psychology and sociology.

McLean served brief teaching tenures at Adrian College in Michigan and at Southwestern College (Rhodes) in Memphis, the later
from which he was ousted after organizing black tenant farmers in the Arkansas delta.

On June 1, 1934, McLean bought the
Tupelo Journal (later renamed the
Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal), a publication which he headed until his death in 1983. From the
Journal's helm, McLean launched his career as an activist-publisher, playing an integral role in the transformation and development
of Tupelo and communities within Lee County—pushing for economic progress, agricultural diversification, and general improvement
of the lives of all local citizens.

McLean served during World War II in the United States Navy as a lieutenant, returning from the war only to return to his
work with the paper, and increasingly, involvement in community development activities.

Tupelo’s success story can largely be credited to McLean’s vision that the prosperity of city bankers and business leaders
was directly connected to the success of outlying rural areas. To achieve this end, McLean was instrumental in establishing
several community development programs and organizations, including the Rural Community Development Program, Community Development
Foundation, Lift Inc.—a local Community Action Agency that provided Head Start and other services, a reading aide program
begun with
Journal capital that evolved into a model for statewide teacher aide program, the CREATE Foundation, and the Tupelo IDEA Center.

In addition to programs and organization he created, McLean also served his community and the state on numerous boards and
committees, including as chairman of HOPE (Highways Our Pressing Emergency), Governor Waller’s Quality Education Committee,
the Board of the Journal Publishing Company, Community Enterprises Inc., and Community Warehouse Corporation; as director
of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Authority; member of the board of directors of the Regional Rehabilitation Center; as
a member of Governor Waller’s Highway Advisory Committee and the State Advisory Committees of the Small Business Administration,
Farmer’s Home Administration, Planning Commission of the City of Tupelo.

McLean was recognized as Nation Magazine's Man of the Year 1937 with Supreme Court Justice Brandeis and Wisconsin's Robert
LaFollett; Progressive Farmer's 1948 "Man of the Year" in Mississippi agriculture, as the first recipient of the Tennessee
Valley Authority's "Distinguished Citizen" award, and as the first recipient of Tupelo Civilian Club's annual "Outstanding
Citizen" award. He was selected for the University of Mississippi's Hall of Fame; The Old Miss Journalism Department also
honored McLean by selecting him as the 1963 recipient of the "Silver Em" award for outstanding journalistic achievement; and
Adrian College, awarded him an honorary doctorate for his lifetime accomplishments.

A deeply religious man, McLean was an ordained Elder of the Presbyterian Church, and as one biographer noted, he was known
to include biblical scriptures in his lectures and speeches. The
Journal's company policy statement exudes McLean's religious convictions and how they were translated into producing a quality newspaper.

During Mississippi’s controversial and troubled passage through the Civil Rights Movement, McLean is credited by historians
and biographers as a voice of reason and progress. His focus to improve Tupelo’s education system and economy helped Tupelo
escape many of the scars of racial conflict that marred so many Mississippi towns. McLean and his editor-in-chief Harry Rutherford
used the pages of the
Journal to take numerous stands in explosive issues during the period, including school integration and the Ole Miss/Meredith crisis,
the summer of 1964, and the role of segregationist politicians of the era. Historians credit Tupelo’s relatively peaceable
integration of the public schools in 1966 to the
Journal and McLean’s influence.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in 3 series according to donor.

Despite clear subject headings, McLean’s religious materials could also be considered community development materials. His
faith and calling in his community (be it Tupelo or Mississippi) were one and the same in his eyes. Researchers seeking McLean’s
views on seemingly secular community activities would be well-advised to examine his religious materials as well.

Many of the cards were scattered throughout the original boxes, held together by paper clips or rubber bands. Cards are arranged
by date, title, or Undated/Untitled. The cards without date/title are arranged by the first words/sentences that appear on
the first card.

Administrative Information

Publication Information

Access Restrictions

The George McLean Collection is open for research.

Open reel audio tapes in this collection are stored in cold storage and restricted for preservation.

Copyright Restrictions

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions
of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a
photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used
for any purpose other than private study, scholarship or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy
or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use", that user may be liable for copyright infringement.

Additions

No further additions are expected to this collection.

Acquisition Information

The original collection (Boxes 1-7) was donated by the McLean family in 1984.

The first accretion (Boxes 8-11) was donated by Harry Rutherford in 1985.

The second accretion (Boxes 12-16) was donated by Vaughn Grisham in 1989.

3.9.2 Citation for George McLean from Adrian College, given at Adrian College Commencement, April 26, 1981.

3.9.3 Speech written and given by Harry Rutherford (editor of
Journal) on George McLean’s 65th Birthday, July 30, 1969.

3.9.4 Speech notes of Dan Brasfield who introduced George McLean at the Rotary Banquet, December 17, 1979.

3.9.5 Bibliographical information concerning an Interview with Mr. George McLean, publisher/owner of
Tupelo Journal, by Dr. Kenneth McCarty, for the Mississippi Oral History Program of the University of Southern Mississippi.

3.9.6 Notes regarding George McLean presented to the National Advisory Commission on Rural Poverty, Memphis, TN, February
2, 1967.

3.9.7 Article by Joe Dove, editor of the
Mississippi Business Journal, from his column "The Marketplace," titled "George McLean: Good newspaperman, businessman.

Untitled "Tonight Please develop your though we must be able to love ourselves." (4 cards) Undated.

Untitled. "In a society of truly free people each person must assent to the common goals and must accept his or her share
of common tasks. (14 cards) Undated.

Untitled. Tupelo - Lee County. (2 cards) Undated.

Untitled. "You have several Lee Co. leaders in this conference." (6 cards) Undated.

Untitled. "1. Every Person in this room is interested in this state and particularly in the county in which he resides or
which he represents." (7 cards) Undated.

Untitled. "The home, the church, the school, Democratic Government, Free Enterprise System--these are foundation institutions
on which our society has been based." (7 cards) Undated.

Untitled. "The CDF was incorporated over ¼ century ago (9-15-48) to provide one all inclusive civic service organization through
which all of us working together could make a better community." (6 cards) Undated.

Untitled. "Tupelo has one of the best rounded cultural programs to be found in any small city in the country." (5 cards) Undated.

8.11.5 Charles A. Kothe from George McLean dated April 16, 1975. TLS. George McLean from L.C. Michelon, Republic Education
Institute, dated April 21, 1975, and includes invoice for books ordered and TL reply from George McLean dated May 6, 1975.

8.11.6 George McLean from Dr. Milton Baxter, Office of Governor, Education and Training, dated April 28, 1975, and includes
reply from George McLean, dated May 5, 1975.

8.17.7 Mr. and Mrs. McLean from Minrose Gwin, Department of English, University of Tennessee, dated August 7, 1981, and includes
AL and TLS. Seetha Srinivasan, editor of University Press of Mississippi, from George McLean dated September 2, 1981.

8.17.8 George McLean from William F. Winter, Governor of Mississippi, dated September 21 and August 31, 1981, and includes
TD schedule of events for Governor General Conference on Education – November 3-5, 1981.

8.20.3 Minutes Meeting of representatives of University of Mississippi Administration, School of Engineering, Continuing Education
Department, Tupelo Lee County Branch, State R&D Center and CDF, dated August 19, 1975.

Legal Documents

8.21.1 Statement by George McLean, Publisher of the
Daily Journal, Tupelo, Mississippi, before the Committee on Banking and Currency of the House of Representatives with respect to HR 4569,
March 13, 1961. (2 copies)

8.21.2 Affidavit of George McLean before the National Labor Relations Board, dated August 15, 1961

8.21.3 Oral Testimony Before the United States Senate Subcommittee on Employment, Manpower, and Poverty, dated April 10, 1967

Syllabus

8.22 Community Development in Mississippi course, University of Mississippi 1969-1970

Book Reviews

8.23.1 George McLean review of
Our God is Too Small by J.B. Phillips

8.23.2 George McLean review of
The Past That Would Not Die by Walter Lord, Three Lives For Mississippi by William Bradford, Integration at Ole Miss by Russell H. Barrett, “I Do So
Politely:”A Voice from the South by Robert Canzoneri, Letters from Mississippi edited by Elizabeth Sutherland.

Programs

8.24 Program for “Living Word—Living Issues” Conference, April 30-May 2, 1965. George McLean address May 1

9.7.1 “My Ties to the World Through My Vocation,” Decatur, Alabama Talk, March 27, 1962

9.7.2 “How Can We Plan and Carry Out Economic Development in a Rural Area?” by George McLean, Conference on Land and People,
New Orleans, Louisiana, October 15-16, 1962

9.8.1 Talk before the Soil Conservation District Commissioners, Jackson, Mississippi, January 15, 1963

9.8.2 “How Can We Plan and Carry Out Economic Development in Our Rural Area?” Union Community Talk, February 4, 1963. 3 copies
with notes by George McLean

9.8.3 “Industrial Development Can Be Planned—Can be Carried Out,” Louisiana Industrial Development Conference, Monroe, Louisiana,
March 21, 1963

9.8.4 “Mobilizing Community Resources,” Talk made to National Rehabilitation Association, Region IV, Charleston, South Carolina,
April 23, 1963

9.9.1 "How Can We Plan and Carry Out Economic Development in Our Area?” Talk by George McLean made before Area Economic Conference,
Knoxville, Tennessee, May 21, 1964. 2 copies with notes by George McLean

9.12.2 “Which Way Mississippi” Speech by George McLean, Mississippi Historical Society, March 7, 1970. 3 copies, 2 copies
with AN

9.12.3 “Notes for a Talk on the Early Days of Tupelo” by Anna Kursey McLean, April 12, 1970

9.12.4 “Affirming the Reality of Change: Social Change and Community Development.” Speech given by George McLean at the Mississippi
Conference on Social Welfare in Biloxi, Mississippi, April 29, 1970. 2 copies with AN

9.12.5 “The Next 100 Years: First, A Brief Look Back—Then, A Long Look Forward—Finally, A Deep Look Within” speech given by
George McLean, Tupelo, Mississippi, Centennial Year, before the Annual Meeting of the Community Development Foundation, May
7, 1970. 2 copies

9.13.1 “People Power and Community Development” Humanities Interdisciplinary Seminar, University of Mississippi March 30,
1971. Includes program March 30, 1971

10.19.2 Article from May 23, 1968, “Developing People Best Way to Total Conservation---McLean,” includes picture of McLean,
accepting Tupelo Luncheon Civitan Club’s first annual Outstanding Citizen Award.

10.19.3 Articles from Daily Journal, March 16-17, 1968, “George McLean is Named to Small Business Council,” and from
Clarion Ledger March 4, 1970, Speakers Announced for State Historical Society,” includes picture of McLean.

10.19.4 Portion of article from
Look April 16, 1968 “Tupelo” p M8

10.19.5 Article “McLean says development demands ‘total utilization.”

10.19.6 Article from February 20-21, 1965, “George McLean Named ‘Outstanding Citizen,” includes picture of McLean.

10.19.7 Article “Journal Publisher to Teach Community Course at UM,” and “Editor to Direct University Course,” dated September
12, 1969.

10.21.5 “Leadership Mississippi….The Panelists,” includes George McLean on page 2.

10.21.6 Article from
The New York Times, November 12, 1980, “$1.1 Million Gift Helps Schools Teach Reading.”

Honors and Clippings, Undated

10.22.1 Picture “Your East Mississippi Council in Action.”

10.22.2 Article from
The Oxford Eagle, “A Day in the life of documentary,” regarding George McLean.

10.22.3 Portion of article from
NEA Journal, regarding education in Tupelo and George McLean.

10.22.4 Photocopy of picture of George McLean in news office.

10.22.5 Article from
The Journal, “A Locally Owned Newspaper Dedicated to the Service of God and Mankind,” by George McLean.

10.22.6 Article “A veteran newsman’s views on TVA.”

Speeches and Letters Honoring George McLean

10.23.1 Excerpts from “Songs by Morton Downey” Broadcast, Wednesday, May 29, 1946, regarding a Salute to Tupelo, MS and George
McLean.

10.23.2 Speech from Birthday party from
Journal staff for George McLean, July 30, 1969.

10.23.3 Group of speeches given for George McLean at dinner honoring the former on December 17, 1979, by Mike Bush, Dr. Dan
Brasfield, Lewis Whitefield, Bill Carroll. (note: missing speech Steve LeResch)

10.23.4 Letter to Jack Reed from William Winter, dated May 11, 1983, re: honors for George McLean.

10.23.5 Introductory speech for George McLean for CDF.

10.23.6 Letter of invitation to reception given by TVA Board of Directors to honor George McLean as the recipient of the 1980
Tennessee Valley Distinguished Citizen Award, to be held January 9, 1981.

10.23.7 A Testimony to Mr. George McLean, by Robert Boynton Smith, minister of the First Presbyterian Church, Tupelo.

10.24.2 letter from James W. Silver to the Faculty and Staff Members of the University of Mississippi, dated December 9, 1948.

10.24.3 Copy of invitation to the Inaugural Ball of President Lyndon B. Johnson, dated January 20, 1965, and includes TLS
note from the President regarding his support and help during the campaign, dated November 10, 1964.

10.24.4 letter from Orville Freeman, Secretary of Agriculture, US Department of Agriculture, to George McLean, dated July
5, 1967.

10.24.5 letter from William G. Mockabee, Lieutenant, The Salvation Army, to George McLean, dated April 7, 1980.

10.24.6 letter from the Office of the Board of Directors to the Honorable and Mrs. Perrin Purvis, dated December 19, 1980.

10.24.10 letter from James B. Skewes to George McLean, dated December 22, 1980.

10.24.11 letter from Tom Beatty, Vice President and General Manager of the Southern Division of United Press International,
to George McLean, dated December 9, 1980.

10.24.12 letter from Orbie L. Medders, Regional Executive of United Press International, to George McLean, dated December
10, 1980.

10.24.13 letter from John C. Stennis, United States Senator, to the Honorable S. David Freeman, regarding George McLean’s
receipt of the TVA’s Distinguished Citizen Award, dated December 23, 1980.

10.24.14 letter from H.D. McGee, Mayor of City of Fulton, to George McLean, dated January 10, 1981.

10.24.15 letter from Thomas R. War, President of the Phil Hardin Foundation, to George McLean, dated December 22, 1980, and
includes AL reply from George McLean.

10.24.16 Western Union Mailgram from Porter L. Fortune, Chancellor of University of Mississippi, to George McLean, dated January
8, 1981, and includes AL reply from George McLean.

10.24.17 letter from C. Thompson Wacaster, Vice President for Educational Programs and Research for the Phil Hardin Foundation,
to George McLean, dated December 22, 1980, and includes AL reply from George McLean.

10.24.18 Autographed card from staff at First Citizens National Bank

10.24.19 note from [illegible name] to George McLean.

10.24.20 letter from Kenneth C. Wagner, Director of Mississippi Research and Development Center, to George McLean dated January
12, 1981, and includes reply from George McLean.

10.24.21 letter from Martha [illegible]ddie to George McLean, dated January 19, 1977.

10.24.22 letter from Fr. Damian Gusmus, O.S.B., St. Michael’s Church in Florence, Alabama, to George McLean dated October
17, 1963.

10.24.23 letter from W.M. Drower to George McLean, dated October 27, 1970.

10.24.24 letter from Jamie L. Whitten, Congressman from the 1st District, Mississippi, United States House of Representatives,
to George McLean, dated December 9, 1980.

10.24.25 letter from William C. Keady, Chief Judge, United States District Court, to George McLean, dated December 11, 1980.

10.24.26 Western Union Telegram from Baldwyn Elementary School, Teachers Reading Aids and Students, to George McLean, dated
January 9, 1981.

10.24.27 letter from Chauncey R. Godwin to George McLean dated January 11, 1981, and includes AL reply from George McLean.

10.24.28 letter from George Street, Office of University Relations, to George McLean dated January 12, 1981.

10.24.29 letter from Reid Asche, Editor and Publisher of the
Jackson Sun, to George McLean, dated January 12, 1981, and includes AL reply from George McLean.

Honors: Programs & Printed Materials

10.25.1 Program of Tupelo Junior Auxiliary Charity Ball, February 19, 1965, where George McLean received 1965 Outstanding
Citizen Award.

11.1.6 “Tupelo Editor Named Outstanding Citizen,” re George McLean’s receipt of the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Junior
Auxiliary at the annual Charity Ball.
The Clarion Ledger February 23, 1965.

11.1.7 “George McLean Named ‘Outstanding Citizen,’” includes picture of George McLean and president of Tupelo Junior Auxiliary.
February 1965.

11.2.6 “Tupelo Journalist Speaks to Commerce Students Here, Cites Growing Business Opportunities in Mississippi: Stay-At-Home
Advice Is Given by McLean,” includes picture of McLean speaking to students.

11.2.7 “Speaker,” photo of George McLean in announcement of featured speaker at annual conference for Presbyterian men of
the Synod of Mississippi.

11.2.8 “Journal Publisher to Present Talks to Illinois Group,” re George McLean speaking in Illinois to Franklin County Teachers’
Institute, community development division of Southern Illinois University, Franklin County agricultural workers, and University
of Illinois Farm and Home week program.

11.2.9 “McLean to Speak,” re George McLean speaking to the Greenwood Lions Club.

11.2.11 “Soil Commissioners Coming for Meeting,” re George McLean as featured speaker of the annual meeting of the Mississippi
Association of Soil Conservation District Commissioners in Jackson, Mississippi.